Friday, January 3, 2025
I had the privilege of working with Bill for 25 years. When I started at Nobel in 1977 Bill headed up the COP (center of plate) department. While in training he taught us “rookies” the basics on meat sales and made sure we had a copy of and understanding of the “Meat Buyers Guide”. With this training internalized I felt I was ready for the streets. Nope, not even close.
Bill owned the mountains. I didn’t realize the influence he had in the ski areas until the first fall I was on territory-Vail.
We did a “ride with” and he knew every chef, sous chef, kitchen manager and owner. The respect he garnered was immediate and obvious. Bill was their consultant, innovator, menu planner, trusted partner and confidant. We made the calls, Bill got the business. Bill made it fun and trained me to sell meat. I and anyone he worked was fortunate to have him as a mentor, role model and friend.
When I consider for me, the one person that most influenced my carear, my G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) it would be
BILL ZUCKER.
Post thought::
I ran into Bill after my 2002 retirement. We had a few minutes together and I passed onto him my above thoughts.
He just smiled and said, “it was my job and I loved it”. It was a big smile.
David Denson